Epic, Humana partner to speed patient check-in and coverage verification

The new features automatically share insurance details from more than 800,000 Medicare Advantage enrollees with providers to streamline check-in and verification.

States project flat Medicaid enrollment, increased spending as cuts loom: KFF

Total spending in the safety-net insurance program is expected to grow 7.9% in fiscal year 2026, according to the survey. Meanwhile, states are facing significant federal cuts in the wake of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Jury orders Apple to pay Masimo $634M in patent fight

A federal jury in California has found that Apple infringed on a Masimo patent for its pulse oximetry technology.

CMS issues guidance on Medicaid provider tax overhaul

The agency has started to lay out how it’ll implement restrictions on the arrangements, which are used by states to finance their share of Medicaid funding, enacted in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Medicare premiums set to rise 10% next year, CMS says

The Part B premium hike could have been worse, the Trump administration said. Still, it’s likely to pressure the pocketbooks of millions of seniors, and could drive more into Medicare Advantage plans.

Optum Health names new CEO

Krista Nelson replaces Dr. Patrick Conway, who was appointed as CEO of UnitedHealth’s healthcare delivery unit in June. Conway will stay on as CEO of the company’s broader health services division.

Ascension invests over $530M into Tennessee

The projects, which include technology upgrades and expanded capacity initiatives, are designed to meet growing demand for services in the region.

Providence’s financial turnaround plan delivers results in Q3

The nonprofit health system was in the black during the third quarter, boosted by higher patient volumes and improved labor efficiency.

Telehealth flexibilities reinstated as government shutdown ends

The pandemic-era virtual care policies are back in place through Jan. 30. But short-term deals aren’t sustainable, telehealth advocates and providers say.

Historic government shutdown ends, leaving ACA subsidies in limbo

The House passed a stopgap funding bill and President Donald Trump signed it late Wednesday, reopening the government without a clear path forward on preserving enhanced subsidies for ACA plans — Democrats’ chief demand.

More rural hospitals shutter labor and delivery units in 2025: report

Only 41% of rural hospitals in the U.S. deliver babies, according to a report by the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform. In some states, fewer than one-third of these facilities offer labor and delivery services.

Health insurers in government programs can’t seem to turn a profit

Major payers with a presence in the ACA, Medicare or Medicaid posted an average operating margin of -1.4% in the third quarter. The market “continues to be challenging,” complicating margin recovery plans, one expert said.

Healthcare cost hikes in 2026 may be only slightly lower than 2025, WTW says

The increase remains “significantly higher” than the 7.6% seen in 2024.

Indiana approves controversial hospital merger despite FTC protests

Union Hospital and Terre Haute Regional are set to merge after getting the green light from Indiana’s health department over the objections of federal regulators in two administrations and the state’s own attorney general.

Richard Pazdur, longtime FDA oncology leader, to head agency’s main drug office

The appointment of Pazdur as CDER head comes shortly after the surprise ousting of George Tidmarsh and should quiet many of the “lingering uncertainties” surrounding the FDA, wrote one industry analyst.

Health system leaders need to evolve in the face of AI: report

C-suite executives surveyed said they think new technology leadership roles will become more important in the next three years, according to a report from the Healthcare Financial Management Association.

FDA to remove safety warnings on hormonal menopause therapy

The decision, issued without the input of an official advisory committee, revises long-held labeling on the drugs cautioning the risk of cancer and heart disease.

Congress inches towards ending shutdown with no extension of ACA subsidies

The Senate overcame a key procedural hurdle on Sunday after eight Democrats broke with their party to back a measure freeing the government from the longest funding lapse in history.

Democrats introduce bill to repeal Medicare prior authorization pilot

Lawmakers argue the CMS innovation center pilot, which will implement AI-backed prior authorization for some services in six states, will add red tape and limit access to care.

4 tips on protecting health systems from cyberattacks

Healthcare organizations should invest in post-attack recovery and carefully evaluate risks from vendors, according to industry experts who spoke at a Healthcare Dive virtual event.

CMMI to launch model to lower Medicaid drug spending

Under the model, set to start next year, the CMS will negotiate lower prices for Medicaid programs linked to those paid in select other countries.

Telehealth groups urge Congress to adopt long-term virtual care fix

More than 450 telehealth and provider organizations are pushing lawmakers to avoid another temporary extension of telemedicine flexibilities amid a historic government shutdown.

Novo, Lilly cut deal with Trump to lower prices of obesity drugs

The agreement will make Wegovy and Zepbound available to some Medicare enrollees for $245 per month, and starter doses of pill versions, once approved, for $149 monthly.

Cigna’s new chief medical officer starts as other execs depart the company

Dr. Amy Flaster, Cigna Healthcare’s chief medical officer since last year, is stepping up as CMO of the whole enterprise. At the same time, Cigna’s chief health officer and a business improvement executive are hitting the road.

Humana confident in Medicare Advantage growth despite plan generosity muddling margin recovery

The Medicare giant likes what it’s seen in the first two weeks of open enrollment. But there are steps it can take if membership growth starts getting out of hand, executives said.